Melody of the Heart

by Katie Ashley

  “I didn’t know you were in Vegas.”

  Susan smiled. “Jake flew me out here for my birthday tomorrow. He knows with my dancing background how much I’ve always wanted to see Cirque de Soleil, so we’re going to the different shows together.”

  “That’s awfully sweet of him.”

  “He is always doing the sweetest things for me.” Susan then closed the gap between us. Taking my hands in hers, she squeezed them. “Jake asked me to come and see how you were doing.”

  “He did?”

  She nodded. “He was worried that you might be having a hard time getting ready on your own—you know, without your mother and sister.”

  With sobs rising in my throat, I could merely nod my head in reply. One of Susan’s hands came to softly cup my cheek. “Jake is my only child—the long awaited answer to my prayers. I won’t have a daughter to help on her wedding day, so it would be my honor to be with you.”

  Tears stung my eyes at her kindness. “Really?” I whispered.

  “Yes, really.”

  “I-I w-would really love for you to help me get r-ready,” I hiccupped through my tears.

  Susan laughed. “Oh honey, looks like you’ve got the pre-wedding jitters.”

  I shook my head. “I swear I don’t have cold feet. There’s nothing in the world I want more than to marry Brayden.”

  “Just because you’re overly emotional it doesn’t mean you’ve got cold feet.” Her expression softened. “It’s only understandable you would be teary considering what you’ve just been through.”

  My eyes widened in surprise at the fact she knew about my dad. Score another point for Jake’s sensitive side that he had thought enough to tell his mom. “He would’ve loved the fact I’m eloping.”

  “Really?” Susan questioned.

  With a giggle, I replied, “He always joked that on a chief of police’s pay, he would never be able to afford weddings for all of his daughters, so we better start thinking of eloping.” As I repeated his words, my father’s smiling image appeared in my mind so crystal clear he could have been standing right in front of me. My hand flew to my mouth to try to stop the desperate sobs building in my throat. Without a word, Susan drew me into her arms. Instead of chiding me about how I was going to mess up my makeup or look horrible with blood-shot eyes and a red nose, she just let me cry. Her hand rubbed reassuring circles over my back as my body shook from the emotions ravaging me.

  “That’s it, sweetheart. Just let it all go,” she murmured.

  Once I finally wrestled a grip on my emotions, I pulled away. Giving Susan a shy smile, I said, “Thank you for letting me do that.”

  “Don’t be afraid to keep doing it either. Our emotions, both good and bad, are what let us know we’re alive. You don’t ever want to get to the point that you don’t feel, especially when it comes to your father.” Cupping my chin in her fingers, she smiled. “But at the same time, don’t let your grief ruin what is going to be the happiest day of your life. You have your father with you.” She placed her hand over my heart. “He’s right here, and he always will be.”

  “Thank you,” I repeated again.

  “You’re welcome.” Clapping her hands together, she said, “Now, I think it’s time we got you ready. Can’t have you late for Elvis, now can we?”

  I laughed. “No, I don’t suppose so.”

  Taking me by the hand, Susan led me over to one of the plush chairs. She eased me down into it, and then turned back to get my bag. As I twisted my hands nervously in my lap, she did my makeup. Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I said, “You’re awfully good at this.”

  “It comes from years of being a dancer and then a dance teacher. When I first started out in some traveling ballet companies, we would sometimes do performances in parks where you would have to get ready behind trees. I honed my talent then. It also came to good use later when I opened my own studio. Even the tiniest of ballerinas need some makeup to ensure they look their best under the intense stage lights.”

  Once she finished, she started brushing my hair in long strokes. When she met my gaze in the mirror, she winked. “I’m even better at up dos.”

  “I’m so glad you’re here and not just for the hair and makeup.”

  “It’s tough being the only girl in the group, isn’t it?”

  I nodded, which caused a bobby pin to poke me in the head. “Sorry,” Susan said.

  “It’s okay. It’s my fault.” I smiled. “You know, it’s funny because with three sisters, I never imagined I’d ever lament being the only girl somewhere.”

  “It might sound trite, but I think you’re a good role model for the guys.”

  “I am?”

  “Not just for them to be around, but to also make them see how they need a girl just like you.”

  I snorted. “I’m not sure Jake would ever think something like that, least of all stop being a manwhore for two seconds.” When I realized my mistake, I widened my eyes in horror. “I’m sorry.”

  Susan waved a hand dismissively at me. “You have nothing to apologize for. I know my son and his faults. I just hope and pray that some girl will come along to change him. Then maybe the seeds you’ve planted along the way will come to fruition.”

  “I hope so, too.”

  A loud knock came at the door. “Yo, Lils, you decent?” AJ questioned.

  “Well, I—” The door flew open before I could finish. “Guys!” I screeched, jerking on the lapels of the robe.

  “Like we haven’t already seen you in a robe before,” Jake replied.

  “I could have been naked, you know,” I protested.

  Susan laughed as she corralled the boys and pushed them back out the door. “Give me two seconds to get her into her dress, and then you can come in.”

  Susan unzipped the garment bag. All my life I had envisioned what my wedding dress would look like. I just didn’t imagine eloping and having to find a dress last minute. Luckily, I had managed to fall in love with a dress. The satin bottom was form fitted until it flowed out into a small train, and then the beaded bodice came around my neck like a halter top. I’d found it in a designer shop, and thankfully, I had Brayden’s credit card on me.

  While I felt slightly embarrassed letting Susan see me in my underwear, it was nice having her get me into the dress and zip me up. Standing back from the mirror, tears once again filled my eyes. I truly felt like a bride—a very beautiful bride. “Don’t you look absolutely gorgeous!” Susan exclaimed.

  “It’s because of you.”

  Susan shook her head. “I just enhanced the overall package, honey. You would be drop dead gorgeous in a burlap sack!”

  I laughed. “Thank you.”

  The door burst open once again, and the guys tumbled in. Their chatter ceased at the sight of me. “Wow,” Rhys murmured.

  AJ’s gaze dipped from my head down to my toes. “Holy shit, Lils! You’re fucking stunning!” With a glance at Susan, his cheeks reddened a little. “Sorry, Susan.”

  “Thank you,” I replied, my own cheeks warming because of their compliments and expressions.

  Jake took a step toward me, and I couldn’t help holding my breath. For some reason, his opinion mattered the most to me. Maybe it had something to do with the rocky road we’d been on since the day he’d first met me. More than anything, I wanted him to acknowledge that what Brayden and I had was the real thing—something he’d never experienced but would one day aspire to.

  He cocked his head at me before smiling. “You look beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. You’re gonna take Bray’s breath away when he sees you.”

  “Thank you, Jake. It means a lot.”

  With a wink, he replied, “You’re welcome.”

  “So, are we ready to get this show on the road?” AJ asked, glancing around us. “Cause ol’ Bray looked a little shaky when we left him.”

  “He was?”

  AJ nodded. “Pale and pacing the floor.”

  I swallowed hard. “Like he’s having s
econd thoughts?”

  A grin spread across AJ’s face. “No, it’s more like he’s scared as hell you’re going to jilt him at the altar.”

  After exhaling the breath I’d been holding, I smacked his arm. “Easy, Bridezilla,” he teased.

  “You’re lucky that Lily doesn’t do worse to you,” Susan chided.

  “She should be used to me by now.” Looming over me, he said, “Aggravating people, especially beautiful women, is how I show love.”

  I laughed. “You’re a mess. Always have been and always will be.” Standing up on my tip-toes, I bestowed a kiss on his cheek. “But I love you anyway.”

  “Right back at you.”

  Groaning, Jake said, “Okay, that’s enough of the love-fest. We need to get out there.”

  “So what do we need to do?” Rhys asked.

  Walking over to the table, Jake picked up a basket full of multicolored rose petals. He thrust it Rhys. “You can be the flower girl.”

  Rhys’s dark eyes widened. “Oh hell no, I won’t.”

  “Look man, you were the last one in the band, so you draw the short end of the stick.” Jake shrugged. “That’s just the way it is.”

  Considering how hard Rhys was glaring at Jake, I expected at any moment for Rhys to throw the basket at him. But he didn’t. Instead, he gripped the handle of the basket tighter. “This blows.”

  AJ thumped Rhys on the back. “Aw, but you’re such a pretty flower girl.”

  “Bite me,” Rhys snapped.

  “So what are you two going to be doing while Rhys is being the flower girl?” I asked.

  Clapping his hands together, Jake replied, “Well, I figured AJ would be the ring bearer, and I would give you away.”

  “Oh hell no. I’m not carrying some pansy ass pillow down the aisle!” AJ exclaimed.

  Rhys snorted. “It could be worse—you could be carrying this fruity basket.”

  AJ shook his head. “Besides, I’m the oldest, so I’m the one who should be giving her away.”

  Jake rolled his baby blues. “Oh please, you’re only three months older than me. I hardly think that gives you any rights.”

  As Jake and AJ stood toe to toe arguing about their roles, I cleared my throat. They both snapped their gazes over to me. “Listen guys, I’m really flattered that you both want to give me away, but I was thinking I would just walk alone. You know, as a way to honor my dad.”

  Jake and AJ mulled over my words for a moment. Then they both shook their heads. “Nope, not happening,” AJ said.

  “Excuse me?”

  AJ closed the distance between us. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he sighed. “If you walk down that aisle alone, all you will be doing is thinking how much you wish your dad could be there and how much you miss him. You won’t honor him because you’ll be letting his death ruin an amazing moment in your life.” One of his hands came to cup my cheek. “He wouldn’t want that.”

  I sucked in a breath at his words. “You’re right,” I murmured, fighting the tears that filled my eyes.

  “Of course, I am,” he teased, lightening the moment.

  “You really are amazing, you know that?”

  “Right back at ya, baby girl.”

  I leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, AJ.”

  “No problem.” With a wink, he asked, “So you choose me to give you away, right?”

  I couldn’t help laughing. “No, I don’t.” I glanced over at Jake who was watching us intently. “I choose the both of you.”

  Jake smiled. “That sounds pretty fair.”

  While AJ nodded, Rhys snorted contemptuously. “Yeah, for you two assholes. I’m the one stuck with the fruity flower basket.”

  Susan took the basket from him. “I’ll be the flower girl.”

  “But I was hoping you would be my matron of honor,” I said.

  Her eyes instantly lit up. “Really?”

  I nodded. “It would mean a lot to me.”

  “It would to me, too.” She then handed the basket back to Rhys. “Sorry, son, looks like you’re stuck with it.”

  When Rhys groaned, I stepped over to him as best I could with my gown and train. “Would you really deprive me of walking on rose petals?”

  He sighed. “No, I wouldn’t.”

  I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Rhys. I promise I’ll make this up to you.”

  He cocked his dark brows at me. “Does that mean making my favorite meal of fried chicken, fried okra, and homemade cornbread along with a strawberry shortcake from scratch?”

  With a laugh, I replied, “Anything for you, flower girl.”

  “It’s a deal then.”

  Clapping his hands together, Jake once again took the lead. “All right, I think it’s time we got this show on the road.” As he jerked his head for Rhys to move in front of us, Rhys reluctantly followed his orders. Susan came to stand behind Rhys. Then Jake and AJ offered their arms for me to take.

  “Ready?” AJ asked.

  I smiled. “I’m more than ready.”

  BRAYDEN

  THE PAST

  As I waited for Lily to make her grand appearance, I paced nervously around the altar of the Graceland Chapel. “Easy there, son. Don’t want you to wear a hole in the carpet,” Elvis said, with a chuckle.

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s all right. You’re nervous. Happens to most grooms.”

  “I’m not nervous about marrying Lily. There’s nothing in the world I’m more certain of.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  I grimaced. “Well, I’m afraid I’ll never be good enough for her.”

  Elvis eased his sunglass down his nose to look at me. “Excuse me? I mean, I know who you are.”

  “You do?”

  He nodded. “When you made the reservation, one of the receptionists went crazy. I’m pretty sure when the ceremony is over, she’s going to pounce on you for an autograph.”

  With a shaky laugh, I replied, “Oh, that’s fine. I don’t mind.”

  “Like I was saying, you’re a rich, famous guy. Why would you worry you wouldn’t be good enough?”

  I grimaced. “I broke her heart a year ago. Like I was the biggest asshole imaginable even before we broke up. I ignored her, I took her for granted, and I made her feel unworthy.” I shuddered. “We’ve made up, but I’m afraid that she’ll never really be able to forget what I did. Like I’ll never be able to earn back her full love and trust.”

  Elvis patted me on the back. “When it comes down to it, most women are far more able to forgive and forget than they should be.”

  “You think so?”

  He nodded. “You just forget what happened in the past. Treat her even better than you did before, and you’ll be fine.”

  “Feels kinda strange getting marital advice from Elvis,” I said, with a shake of my head.

  He laughed. “You oughta take my advice to heart. Over the years I’ve been marrying couples, I’ve seen enough to become a relationship expert.”

  “I guess that’s true.”

  A woman stepped into the chapel. “They’re ready.”

  “Okay, son, it’s time. Take your place.”

  Adjusting my suit and tie, I then went to stand at the place that had been marked for me. Drawing in a breath, I tried to still my out-of-control nerves. I felt like a complete pansy.

  As Jake’s mom and Rhys appeared in the doorway, Elvis began to strum his guitar. I’d paid extra to have him serenade Lily as she came down the aisle to I Can’t Help Falling in Love.

  I smiled at Susan as she walked down the aisle. I was so glad she had been here in Vegas where Lily could have a mother figure on her wedding day. If there had been time, I would have flown Marie, along with Lily’s sisters, out here for the wedding.

  The appearance of Rhys carrying a lace-covered basket in one hand and then tossing petals with the other caused me to snort with laughter. But one death glare from him silenced me immediately. I don’t know how he had gott
en roped into being the flower girl.

  As Lily appeared in the doorway with Jake and AJ on each side, Elvis began perfectly crooning. “Wise men say only fools rush in. But I can’t help falling in love with you.”

  Jus the sight of her brought tears to my eyes. God, she was so beautiful. She always had been, but something about her in that moment made her more breathtaking than I’d ever seen her. I had to fight the urge to kick myself that this perfect woman was about to be my wife. Even after I had almost ruined things between us, her heart was big enough to forgive me.

  I had to swipe my eyes several times before she finally arrived at my side. After Jake and AJ kissed her cheeks, they then went to sit down beside Susan and Rhys. As I took her hand in mine, Elvis sang, “Take my hand. Take my whole life too. For I can’t help falling in love with you.”

  He strummed the final chords of the song. After putting his guitar away, he smiled at us. “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today to join together Brayden Michael Vanderburg and Lily Marie Gregson.”

  We went through the vows and then exchanged platinum wedding bands that I had picked up yesterday while Lily went dress shopping. I slid it on over her the diamond engagement ring I’d bought the day before as well. After we’d slipped the rings on our fingers, Elvis smiled, “By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  I didn’t have to be told twice. I practically dove at Lily, my hands cupping her face before I brought my lips to hers. I thrust my tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss. We must have been putting on quite a show because the guys started whistling behind us.

  I quickly pulled away to give Lily a sheepish grin. “Sorry about that.”

  Although her cheeks were red, she laughed. “Don’t apologize. That was the best first kiss as a married couple ever.”

  “I thought it was pretty good, too.”

  Instead of walking straight on down the aisle, we exchanged hugs with the guys and Susan. Then as Elvis started strumming Love Me Tender, we walked out of the chapel as man and wife.

  ***

  I gave Lily her choice of where we would stay for our Honeymoon night. Instead of the Bellagio, she wanted to stay at the Venetian because as she claimed, “It just seems so much more romantic there.”